Jesus "El Rey" Zambada, Who Testified Vs. Sinaloa Cartel's "El Chapo," Removed From U.S. Sanction List
Sinaloa cartel's Jesus "El Rey" Zambada has been granted relief with his removal from the United States financial sanctions due to good behavioral change. He was known to have testified against El Chapo during the trial.
U.S. Treasury Department's information stated that El Rey was removed from the sanctions list of the Office of Foreign Assets Control, according to a U.S. News report.
A spokesman from the department said that the former Sinaloa cartel top official was no longer involved in sanctionable activities.
The spokesman added that the person could be re-designated should new evidence or situations merit.
El Rey was the Sinaloa cartel's chief accountant for more than 15 years. He has also served as a star witness during El Chapo's 2018 trial in New York.
READ MORE: Sinaloa Cartel Founder 'El Guero' Is Still in Custody of Mexican Authorities
El Rey Testifying
El Rey testified that his brother Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada and El Chapo were considered to be the chief leaders of the Sinaloa cartel.
The prosecution used El Rey as only its third witness, which caused a surprise in the trial.
His 2008 arrest for drug trafficking charges extradited him to the U.S., and he pleaded guilty.
El Rey admitted during El Chapo's trial that he had organized helicopter transport for the drug kingpin after a prison escape in 2001.
He also divulged that he had spoken to El Chapo a number of times and was informed of the management of the cartel.
El Rey was asked numerous times why he knew all the things that he said at the court. He answered he was also in the cartel at a high level, according to another The Guardian report.
He also revealed about allies in the law enforcement, noting that the shipment of cocaine from Colombia unto Chiapas was secured by government officials from the PGR or attorney general's office.
El Rey also said that the federal transport police were on their side.
He also said that he himself, with his brother's lawyer, personally met with Genaro Garcia Luna, former Mexican President Felipe Calderon's top security official.
El Rey said he first met Garcia Luna between 2005 and 2006. During that time, he said he gave Garcia Luna the $3 million in exchange for political protection for the Sinaloa cartel's operation, according to a Rolling Stone report.
El Chapo of Sinaloa Cartel
El Chapo had managed to escape Mexican authorities by fleeing Mexico's most secure prison.
Hours after his capture in Los Mochis on Jan. 8, 2016, he warned police that they are all going to die, according to a BBC News report.
El Chapo has been served a life sentence plus 30 years for international drug smuggling in a three-month trial that revealed his criminal organization.
He started being a member of organized crime at the age of 15. He was reported to grow his own marijuana plantation with his cousins.
El Chapo's mother said that her son had always fought for a better life.
The now-notorious leader of the Sinaloa cartel had risen through ranks when he first started as a hitman.
He is now imprisoned in ADX Florence, which is a maximum facility.
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WATCH: El Chapo trial witness: Ex-Mexico security chief was bribed - from CBS News